'It's like a scene from The Birds': Vicious dive-bombing seagulls which attack children are plaguing north London residents

Dive-bombing seagulls have turned a London street into “something out of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds”, say residents.

They told how the flock had settled on the rooftops of homes and offices, attacking elderly people, children — and anyone wearing red.

Householders say their unwelcome neighbours have made it difficult to sleep, particularly during the hot spell, because of the noise they make.

Others have complained about the mess made by the birds, which are thought to be herring gulls, and are demanding official action to stop the attacks in Shelburne Road, Holloway.

One of the birds preens itself atop a chimney stack Picture: Alex Lentati

The gull droppings are so corrosive they can eat through paintwork on buildings and cars, while the birds have also ripped open plastic bin bags and targeted recycling containers, scattering the contents up and down the street as they scavenge for food.

Resident Natalie Gerogin, 29, said: “They’ve woken us in the night, around 3am, as they fight with the foxes.

“There are two I see every day on chimneys at opposite sides of the road and they both pick who they want to attack.” Paul Trevor, 44, who works on the street, said: “I’ve seen one of them attack an old man.”

'No one is safe outside': resident Anna Cosker, 26

Anna Cosker, 26, said: “They’re so vicious. No one is safe outside. I sit in the garden and try to eat but I get flown at every time. I want no harm to them but they have to go.”

Referring to the 1963 movie about a community under attack by birds, Jane Musgrove said: “It’s like Hitchcock come real. It’s The Birds all over again. They dive-bomb you, all feet and beak. We’re the endangered ones here.”

Resident Kevin San, 29, said the gulls seemed to target people wearing red. He added: “I can understand why people would be scared to walk down this street.”

Attack: A scene from The Birds by Alfred Hitchcock

Experts say numbers of urban seagulls are rising because nesting on the roofs of offices and houses means the birds can avoid predators such as foxes, so more chicks survive. Also food waste dropped on urban streets provides a ready supply of meals.

Claudia Webbe, executive member for the environment at Islington council, said: “Because gulls can appear intimidating, I advise residents and visitors not to approach them or give them food. “We are limited by law on action we can take directly against the birds and would not want them to suffer.

“I’ve asked the street environment team to visit the area to ensure there is no fly-tipped rubbish that may be attracting these birds to the area.”